Monthly Archives: January 2017

The other day I had the rare pleasure to visit again Hatsukame Brewery in Okabe Cho, Fujieda City in the company of a professional farmer consultant from the USA!
Hatsukame Brewery has a special place in my heart for many reasons: it is the oldest single family-owned Sake brewery In Shizuoka Prefecture for more than 380 years!
Interestingly enough it used to be located in the very center of Sumpu City (the old name of Shizuoka City) before moving to its present location during the Meiji Era!
I must admit a special treatment has always been offered to me and my visiting friends and I dare not reveal what presents and services I have been granted there!

This Daiginjo Genshu (no water blended in) called “Ai” (“Love”) was brewed before Hatsukame Brewery switched from Noto Master brewer to a young talented one from the Nanbu School in Iwate Prefecture!

Clarity: very clear
Color: light golden hue
Aroma: dry and fruity. Strawberries
Body: fluid, almost sirupy
Tasting: dry, smooth, deep and very fruity attack.
Complex: strawberries, dark cherries.
Lingers for a while before departing on more fruity notes of strawberries.
Very pleasant alcohol all the way through, warming back of the palate.
Turns drier with food with liquorice and mandarines making a late appearance.

Overall: elegant and extravagant sake very much in the tradition of Hatsukame Brewery!
Very smooth in spite of its high alcohol contents.
Continuously entices to the next cup.
At its best on its own slightly chilled, although marries very gracefully with almost any cuisine.
Gentlemen will fight for it, but ladies need not worry about the high alcohol contents!
Makes for the perfect digestif in special company!
Recommended pairings: terrines, dry cured ham, cheese, smoked duck.

Overall: very bitter type of IPA.
Although tasted in winter would become a welcome craft beer for all seasons.
Its bitterness will please gentlemen in particular.
Suggested pairings: pork, chicken liver, fried potatoes.

Bubbles: long head, very fine bubbles, creamy, white color
Color: deep orange/persimmon color
Aroma: dry, deep and fruity. Citruses, oranges, dry honey.
Taste: dry but not bitter at first, well-rounded fruity attack.
Oranges, bread, biscuits, faint honey.
Lingers long enough on palate for true tasting before departing on more notes of biscuits with acidity surging ahead and lingering on palate.
Stays smooth on the tongue and palate all the while in spite of the late bitterness.

Overall: totally different IPA type!
Very easy to drink and complex with a double impression starting smooth to finish on pleasant acidity.
Will definitely please both genders of any age!
A real pity it is a limited craft beer!
Suggested pairings: Nuts, sausages, dry meats.

Clarity: very clear
Color: light golden hue
Aroma: dry, smoky, oak, plums
Body: fluid
Taste: very dry and smoky attack.
Dry plums.
Pleasantly warms back of the palate.
Lingers for a while before departing on a softer note of dry oranges and more plums.
Tends to turn even drier and smokier with food.
Late appearance of chestnuts and bitter chocolate.

Overall: as expected a sake fit for men’s taste although I don’t doubt many members of the so-called weak gender will appreciate its uncompromising dryness and smoky oaken notes!
Great with a hot meal!
Suggested pairings: yakitori, oden, stews, cheese.